Blog

What makes Saigoneer special?

Ho Chi Minh City, also called Saigon-Gia Dinh in the old days, is known as a big and active city. It’s the center of Vietnam’s economy, the city that never sleeps and a tourist attraction. For many foreigners, Ho Chi Minh City not only leaves an impression on them about its beauty and its liveliness, but also about its people.

John White, an English tourist who came and visited Saigon in the 1820s, returned to London and in 1824, he published a book called “A voyage to Cochin China.” In it, he had some thoughts about Saigon’s people, which were roughly translated as: “We was very satisfied with what we had seen, it carried a good impression about the culture and the people personality. The kindness, consideration and hospitality were beyond imagination…”

According to Phan An, an associate professor, the people of Saigon epitomize the people of South Vietnam in a unique way. “Hue’s people cannot speak for all Central of Vietnam people. Hanoi’s people cannot speak for all Northern Vietnam people. But Saigon’s people, in some ways, are prime examples for what you can expect from Southern Vietnam characters.”

That being said, what makes the people of Saigon so special?

They’re flexible, energetic and creative.

Three key qualities make Saigon’s people stand out from those in other areas of Vietnam.

Every minute and every second of the day, the people of Saigon want to connect with the flow of life happening around them. It’s not uncommon to see Saigon being very active even though the sun has set; in fact, after dark is when Saigon is at its fullest. People may get off work, but they don’t stop living. It’s almost like they never rest.

If you’re a tourist visiting the city and you want to fully experience how the people enjoy their lives, District One is the spot for you to do that. People take time out from their busy day to gather at the center of the city and participate in all sorts of entertainment: they sing, they dance, they do art … they live! It’s truly an amazing sight.

They value relationships and emotions in spiritual ways rather than material ways.

This particular character trait is what the people of Saigon take the most pride in about themselves. It’s what we have been taught since we were kids; nothing is more valuable than a person and the relationship he or she has. Money can be replaced, but a connection, once lost, cannot be the same. The people of Saigon always want to help one another, building a mental bond and try to make it last; hence; it makes Ho Chi Minh City seem like a big family and all the people are members of it.

That can be said with tourists, too.

If you’re a foreigner and it’s the first time you’ve come to Ho Chi Minh City and you’re having trouble getting around, don’t hesitate to ask a local. Some of them may not know how to speak English, but if they have an idea of what your problems are, most of the time they will try to help you within their ability. They want you to have a good time while staying here, they want to make a connection with you and, furthermore, they want you, through them, to make a connection with the city itself.

Compared to the capital, Hanoi, which has over a thousand years’ worth of history, Ho Chi Minh City is still a fairly new city and is still developing. However, that doesn’t limit the potential of the city; in fact, it creates some of the signature personalities of Saigon’s people.

They’re open-minded and adaptable.

With Ho Chi Minh being Vietnam’s economic center, the city has attracted international companies and different cultures around the world that come to stay. The local people have to adapt to it. It’s not only a chance for the city to develop, but also the chance for us, the people, to experience the diversity of the world. It prepares us for international integration, creates employment for many Vietnamese, and helps the city grow. With that, the mindset of Saigon people also tends to be more open to new things. We take the best of everything and make it our own. We value tradition, but constantly evolve.

The privilege of being a tour guide is that I’m able to meet a lot of different people from different countries and a lot of times, my guests tell me that they are very surprised how Western-friendly Ho Chi Minh City is. They felt safe knowing they are always welcome; that Ho Chi Minh City is not so different from home but at the same time, is a mystery waiting to be discovered.

As open and tourist-friendly as it is, Ho Chi Minh City still a part of Vietnam and Vietnamese people look out for each other.

Even though the lives of many people have improved in recent years, still, there are many more who have to struggle every day to make ends meet, and a little help will mean a great deal to them.

For example, in Phu Nhuan district, Phan Dinh Phung street, there is a small alley that has all kinds of charity and free stuff for people who need it: free iced tea, free medicine, free flat tires fixed, etc.

Also, in many different districts, there is a chain of charity restaurants that charge only 2.000 Vietnam dong per meal, which includes everything from main course to dessert. Noble acts like these not only help the people in need to overcome difficulties, but also create a trust in the good of all people.

Then again, those charity works also come from the bottom of the hearts of the people who make them happen, from volunteers to donors. I remember at beginning of this year when my company, Tiger Tours, also had a charity and bonding trip, and it was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had so far. The feeling of knowing that we are making someone else’s life a little bit better warms my heart.

Saigon’s people are very special, and their essence cannot completely be captured in words. To truly know how special they are, you have to experience Saigon for yourself.

By Yen Ha

Leave a Reply